As we come up to the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, it is easy to imagine that JFK was popular, and that the country was united around him.
In reality, there was a lot of hate of our 35th President.
Southern segregationists were furious with him for having taken a strong civil rights stand.
Kennedy was still being attacked for his Catholic faith by many evangelical Christians, who even today do not show any respect for the Pope and the Vatican.
Corporations were furious with JFK for having taken a strong stand against the steel industry price increases in 1962, and the oil industry in Texas was particularly condemnatory of him.
Organized crime was angry with the pursuit of the Mafia by Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
Cuban exiles were angry with JFK over the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and unhappy with the survival of Fidel Castro after the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
There was discontent within the FBI and CIA, as to the handling of issues by the Kennedy White House, which was challenging the military-industrial complex that President Eisenhower talked about in his Farewell Address, after JFK had allowed himself to be influenced early on by these agencies and their agendas.
This is not to say that JFK was killed due to these opposition forces and hatred, but the point is that the nation was not one of unity around Kennedy, and he faced a daunting task to be reelected.
America was not a nation that was united anymore then, than it is now. We remember JFK fondly more for his tragic death than his ability to unite the American people and various interest groups.
Hello Professor,
Below is the link to the John Birch Society’s “Wanted Poster” for President John Kennedy that was handed out in Texas and other Southern States just before he was assassinated.
Note how the current President Obama is suffering the same stupidity today by the Koch Sons just as their father once did. I hope the link works. If not, just Google John Kennedy’s Wanted Poster.
https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-verizon&hl=en&site=webhp&tbm=isch&source=hp&ei=V5OOUsLPL5fIsASk94LoBg&q=1963+wanted+poster+for+john+kennedy&oq=&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.41l3.0.0.0.9594.1.0.0.1.1.0.0.0..0.0….0…1c..32.mobile-gws-hp..0.1.32.DtioozH0z00&rlz=1Y1UXZM_enUS513US515#biv=i%7C0%3Bd%7CsU8XUjn4RnXYkM%3A
It did not work, Engineer of Knowledge, but googling John Kennedy’s Wanted Poster did, and it brought chills and memories of that time, reason I wrote this entry. Thanks!
Notice how Daddy Koch’s “John Birch” charges toward President Kennedy in the 1963 “Wanted Poster” are so similar to the Koch Brother’s “Tea Party” charges toward President Obama’s? Like Father, Like Sons.
And, Engineer, as I have stated before, I pray every day for the health and longevity of our courageous President, as I fear he is in great danger, greater because of his race, than JFK faced because of his religion. The hatred for both by the right wing is outside all rational, sane thought. These evil forces are a danger to our survival as a nation of justice, equal opportunity, and tolerance for differences!
I remember I was in study hall in the 9th grade when they made the announcement. All the kids in the classroom except me stood up and cheered his death. I’m not sure which shocked me more.
Beck is claiming JFK would be a Tea Party radical!
http://www.politicususa.com/2013/11/22/glenn-beck-claims-jfk-tea-party-radical.html
Semi- quote for Jane Doe:
I knew JFK…JFK was a friend of mine…JFK’s values were no TEABAGGER values! 🙂
Fred, I am shocked to hear of the reaction of high school students in Mississippi, even though the integration of the University of Mississippi the previous year certainly was grounds for resentment. But still, it is unbelievable to me! But I heard that students in Dallas cheered that day, and apparently it was true.
Jane Doe and Engineer, it is clear that Glenn Beck is a total lunatic, who should be required to be checked for his mental stability, as he incites hate on such a massive scale. In many ways, he is the most demagogic of all of the right wing demagogues, more so than even Rush LImbaugh, Sean Hannity et al.
@Fred
My mom was 16 at the time. She grew up in the South too. She remembers similar reaction.
Hello All,
I was a forth grader going to school in the suburbs of Baltimore. I remember the principle over the intercom calling the teacher to come down to the office When she returned she informed us that the President had been shot and was dead. All of us were shocked and saddened. I can vividly still see many of the girls in the class breaking down into tears. Some covered their heads with their arms resting on their desks.
This area between Washington D.C. and Baltimore is a very progressive viewpoint historically. We were very energized, hopeful for the future, and knew President Kennedy was taking the country in the right direction. History has proven us right today.
I think history will be as kind to President Obama in the future. Once again the regressive conservatives, just as they are being judged today with regards to President Kennedy, will be viewed as being on the wrong and loosing side.
Just as the Arthur Schopenhauer quote has repeatably been proven accurate.
All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
I am in total agreement with you, Engineer!